CHAPTER XX.
THE JOYS OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY.
_A Valedictory Discourse Delivered to the Lafayette Avenue Church, April_ 6, 1890.
I invite your attention this morning to the nineteenth and twentieth verses of the second chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Thessalonians: "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?
Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
For ye are our glory and joy." These words were written by the most remarkable man in the annals of the Christian Church.

Great interest is attached to them from the fact that they are part of the first inspired epistle that Paul ever wrote.

Nay, more.

The letter to the Church of Thessalonica is probably the earliest as to date of all the books of the New Testament.

Paul was then at Corinth, about fifty-two years old, in the full vigor of his splendid prime.